More Steven Stamkos speculation (yes, again!) plus an update on Radim Vrbata and the latest on the Penguins in your NHL rumor mill.
Should the Leafs pursue Stamkos?
TSN: James Duthie asked the panel if the Toronto Maple Leafs should pursue Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos if he becomes available. Bob McKenzie believes they should via free agency, believing he’s young enough to be part of the Leafs rebuilding program, citing his offensive abilities. Craig Button, however, points out Stamkos will be in his thirties when the Leafs are finally ready to win, believing they have other big holes to fill. Jeff O’Neill points out the Leafs lack a number-one centerman and believes they should pursue him. Button also points out the Leafs lack players to take advantage of Stamkos’ talent.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I agree with Button. The Leafs are supposed to be doing things different this time, eschewing big-name acquisitions in favor of drafting and developing their own stars. Acquiring Stamkos flies in the face of that logic. Trading for him means giving up some of those promising assets, plus paying out over $10.5 million annually over the next seven years to keep him off the UFA market.
If they pursue him via free agency, they’ll pay out a big chunk of change to a player who, as Button notes, will be in his 30s and past his prime by the time the Leafs are legitimate playoff contenders again.
Adding Stamkos would be a short-sighted move by the Leafs, setting back their rebuilding process whilst tying up a big chunk of payroll needed to re-sign future stars like William Nylander and Mitch Marner.
Will the Canucks trade Vrbata?
The Canucks might not move Radim Vrbata at the trade deadline.
TSN 1040 (via TODAY’S SLAPSHOT): Bob McKenzie suggests it’s not a certainty the Vancouver Canucks will trade winger Radim Vrbata this season. While he admits it’s possible if the Canucks are out of playoff contention by the Feb. 29 trade deadline, he also notes the Canucks front office and coaching staff are competitive. If they’re still in playoff contention, McKenzie doubts they’ll dump assets for future considerations. Vrbata is eligible in July for unrestricted free agency.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If what McKenzie suggests holds true, we can forget about Vrbata and Dan Hamhuis hitting the trade block if the Canucks remain playoff contenders by Feb. 29.
Latest on the Penguins.
TSN 1050 (via TODAY’S SLAPSHOT): McKenzie believes the Pittsburgh Penguins are looking to make trades, pursuing a top-four, puck-moving defenseman and “an elite level skill guy” to play alongside Sidney Crosby. He notes such moves are difficult to make, given their limited cap space and how they’ve already cashed in several draft picks and young players.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dupuis’ retirement should free up $3.75 million in cap space for the Penguins if they wish to take on additional salary. However, I think they need a coaching change more than they need a trade right now.
Since Mike Johnston took over, the Penguins’ offensive production has steadily declined. In 2013-14, their last season under Dan Bylsma, the Penguins were fifth in goals-per-game. Last season, their first under Johnston, they were 19th. This season, they’re 26th. For a team with scoring stars like Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel and Kris Letang, they shouldn’t be sitting that low in offensive production.
They also haven’t improved defensively, giving up the third-most shots-against per game this season. In 2013-14, they gave up the 10th fewest. If this doesn’t scream coaching problem, I don’t know what does.
“hey also haven’t improved defensively, giving up the third-most shots-against per game this season.”
Huh. This is ridiculous. They have been 6-7 best in goals allowed all season. And you think that haven’t improved defensively?
Somehow shots given up is a more important measure than goals allowed? This is another classic example of the idiotic stats people run wild.
Yeah, they haven’t been scoring a lot of goals. But their offensive problems lie largely in the poor powerplay. If it was hitting 25-30% no one would be saying anything about lack of offense. The poor pp is a problem, but it has nothing to do with his “system.”
The reason they’re among the best in goals-allowed is because of Marc-Andre Fleury’s goaltending. If he weren’t currently at the top of his game (he’s currently on pace for career-best stats in GAA and SP), the Penguins wouldn’t be within sniffing distance of a playoff berth. As for their offensive production, they’re currently 25th in even-strength goals, so it more than just their power play that’s suffering, Oscar. This has nothing to do with “idiotic stats people running wild”. It has everything to do with poor coaching.
Im not sure did the “idiotic stat guys” sneak in and hit Crosby Malkin Kessel Letang et all over the head giving them amnesia… thus making them forget how to score?…did the stats guys suggest a guy like Sprong wouldnt help….cause I know it wasnt a stats guys suggestion to keep parading Scuderri out there.
Leafs should not trade for Stamkos. But if he becomes a UFA by all means they should sign him. He will be only 28/29 when they are competitive again. Think how he could mentor the Marners and Nylanders.
So, they should sign Stamkos as a UFA and pay him what? $9 or $10 mil a year long-term off the cap? With Phaneuf getting 7,000,000 for the next 5 years, Lupul 5,250,000, Van Riemsdyk 4,250,000, Bozak 4,200,000 and Gardiner 4,050,000 for the next 3 years, Kadri needing to be signed as an RFA (currently 4,100,000) and Bernier 4,140,000 for one more year (and largely untradeable), Robidas at 3,000,000 and also untyradeable, and needing to either re-sign Reimer (currently 2,000,000) or find another goalie, they would be forking over at least 45,990,000 for10 players and probably closer to 50,000,000 depending upon wh at increase Kadri gets and what R eimer or a new goalie will cost them. Add in the 2,533,000 still coming off the cap for Kessel and Gleason and you have close to 52,000,000 for 10 players with 13 to sign.
Then there’s Rielly, Marincin and Corado, all RFAs who, if kept, will cost more than their current 2,000,000+ and you have Grabner, Matthias, Spalling, Parenteau, Boyes, Clune, Polak as UFAs currently accounting for around $13,000,000. Sure, some wont be back but they still have to find replacements and at what cost? That would be a cap nightmare to end all nightmares. You’ll probably say just trade a Phaneuf or Lupul or Bozak to make room. For what and at what cost?
You know Idont want that contract or think its a great idea George but all those guys on 1 year deals wont be back, and Id be surprised if both Boxak and Kadri were aswell, 1 or the other will be gone as will Reimer in all likelyhood, Robidas is going to be another LTIR….i dont think next year or necessarily the next is an issue for the cap its 3 and 4 years down the road that would make me nervous.
I’m talking next year which, no matter how you cut it, is going to leave them with somewhere around $21,000,000 to sign 13 (if Robidas goes LTIL) or 14 players whether or not those guys on 1 year deals return or not. That’s a lot of guys named Joe. As for Bozac and Kadri being “gone” – exactly how? You think some team is going to take on a 3rd line C (Bozak) at $4.2 mil and then have to deal with Kadri’s contract demands which will be at least the level he’s being paid now.
I’m going to state this from the get go, that I do not care either or if Toronto signs Stamkos. I would be a little pissed off if the Maple Leafs were to give up assets to obtain Stamkos. However, Cap Wise, it is feasible for the Maple Leafs to sign him. As it stands The leafs have a returning cap next year of $38.3M (5 Forwards – Lupul, JVR, Bozak, Komarov, Winnik) and (4 Defense – Gardiner, Phaneuf, Hunwick, Robidas) and (1 goalie – Bernier). The only ones on the book longer than 2 years will be Phanuef and Gardiner. Let’s face it and Robidas may not be on LTIR next year anyways. Winnik and Hunwick are only on for 1 more year after this year. So, that leaves Toronto to resign/sign/promote 8 forwards and 4 Defense and 1 goalie. Let’s assume the cap rises to $73M that leaves Toronto with $34.7. With Kadri, Holland, Reilly Marincin, Carrado and Reimer being potentially resigned. Lets say they sign Kadri to 5.5M, Reilly to similar contract of Hamilton $6M, Marincin and Carrado get bridge 1.5’s and Reimer gets 4.5M. That brings the cap up to $57.3M. Leaves 15.7M for 6 forwards and 1 Defense… The leafs still have Harrington on cheap, Nyland and Marner coming in on Cheap ELC, 10.5M towards Stamkos leaves roughly 3M for 3 forward roster spots, which the leafs have been good at signing the Brad Boye’s of the world. Especially with the knowledge that Robidas, Winnik and Bernier will be off the books in 2017 and Bozak, Lupul and JVR’s will be off the books in 2018 a year before Marner and Nylander’s second contract. It is actually feasible and do-able to have Stamkos considering the only players locked in pass 2 years is Phanuef and Gardiner as of right now.
Lupul, Bozak, Robidas, gleason and Bernier are all off the books in two years. At which time the Leafs will need to resign Marner, Brown, Nylander etc.
Not saying the Leafs should sign Stamkos but I don’t think the CAP is going to be as big a concern as portrayed.
Here’s a potential 23 man roster totalling $70.442:
FORWARD
Stamkos $11
Lupul $5.25
Kadri $5
JVR $4.25
Bozak $4.2
Komarov $2.95
Winnik $2.25
Holland $1.25
UFA $1.0
UFA $1.0
Nylander $0.895
Soshnikov $0.737
Leipsic $0.653
Froese $0.575
DEFENSE
Phaneuf $7.0
Reilly $5
Gardiner $4.05
Zaitsev $2.25
Hunwick $1.2
Marincin $1.0
Percy $0.75
GOAL
Bernier $4.15
UFA $1.5
RETAINED/BUY-OUT
Kessel $1.2
Gleason $1.333
LTIR
Horton $0 ($5.3)
Robidas $0 ($3.0)
TOTAL $70.442
Which isn’t horrible…till it comes time to resign rfas…2 years is tough 3 years tougher…down the road that’s a big pill to swallow. I don’t like it Could be wrong but I’ve been a fan of this team for a long long time I’ve seen these great ideas go horribly wrong before lol
Hello Philadelphia and Carolina.
Shouldn’t be a problem. Assuming Kadri and Reilly sign for 3+ years the next RFAs resigning of any importance will be Nylander and Marner in 18/19. At that same time Lupul, JVR, Bozak and Komarov will be coming off the books.
If Stamkos is too old for the Leafs’ future period of contention then so is JVR, who was drafted the year before.
JVR is a legit 1 LW on most teams and has improved his two-way game significantly this year. His name isn’t on the trade block but perhaps at the dead line, it should be. Team friendly contract, too.
I kinda shook my head at the idea of a 25 year old being “too old” players hit their prime in their mid to late 20s yes but its not exactly a law that the day they hit 30 their useless. The contract is the issue not the player imo.
Dan39 I’m starting to think that way too. Personally I’d like to see JVR traded for a young right shot second pairing defenceman, like Gudbranson or possibly Severson/Larsson if either were available. Outside of Corrado we have none coming up through the system, and Polak (the only one on the team) is a UFA this summer.
I want no part in that type of rebuild lol….
Sounds like the Sabres or Oilers rushing guys and trading good players with good contracts and plugging Marlies in the lineup…I dont want the Marlies this year to be the Leafs next year.
Shticky, are you referring to my comment about trading JVR? On my phone your comment is posted under mine, but I wasn’t suggesting rushing anybody.
But who plays LW? Thats what I am getting at, seems like making a hole to plug another. Just my thought but it seems like…trade the guys on 1 year deals, or guys that dont really fit long term or even guys that have a bigger contract if they can, but it seems like sideways move to be trading good young players that could be useful for something else its just shuffling the deck
Oh I see what you mean. Well first I agree, trading JVR leaves a huge hole on the first line. Second, I do think a few Marlies get a good look next year regardless of what happens, Nylander is pretty much a lock at 3rd centre, and Lievo, Panic, Brown and maybe even Gauthier at least get considered for bottom 6 spots too. I don’t believe that’s rushing anyone, they’ve paid their dues in the minors to warrant at least a look.
My point was that our defence needs to be sorted out first. Lou has always built his team’s that way, so drawing parallels I can see a move like this solidifying our top two pairings nicely, while NJ or Florida get the offence that they need. If I thought either team would take gardener plus a pick I would’ve suggested it. Either way I’d rather sort out the defence even at the expense of filling out our top six with spare parts like we did with Parenteau and Boyes this year, not necessarily rushing guys in the minors.
I agree durtt the first move we need to make is shoring up the d. we need a young shutdown guy to play with rielly I know the habs might not trade with the leafs but why not take a chance on tinordi if they can get him relatively cheap? he has all the makings of a shutdown dman just needs to get some playing time
” … I know the habs might not trade with the leafs …”
They tried trading Gorges to them but he refused to go there, so it IS possible I guess.
Besides grigorenko who have the Sabres rushed to the NHL? Eichel is the only first year guy to play with the big club in some time. Reinhart Pysyk McCabe Ristolainen all spent time in the minors/juniors after their draft year. Not sure if you were actually serious or joking, don’t see Sabres rushing anyone.
Eichel is playing on the 2nd line as well.
Just kinda seems like bad asset or tanking to me…no offense wasn’t a shot at anyone just don’t like trading good pieces away just because or for the term rebuilding
Gilmour, Grabovski Georges was a done deal till Georges nixed it there was talk of a Lupul deal….not sure bit it seems like the Habs and Leafs have dealt in the past…lol
Durt, I agree with the need to prioritize defense going forward. Even if we can get Chychrun, D take a long time to develop and other players like JVR will be exiting their primes by then. Would be nice to swap the hometown boy for one of NJDs promising young D as you mention. Gudbranson I would pass on.
You have to wonder if the Cooper/Lightning/Stamkos “inactivity” has more to do with an active media than the true state of the negotiations. Sure, you and I can chime in the reasons nothing have been announced, or why he is staying or going…all based on OUR opinion, no the reality.
We do know that unless the Lightning crap the bed completely, that he stays this season…simply because their fan base might not renew if the white flag goes up now, much less the fact the state of the game with the Cap leaves only a little wiggle room for partnering up on a trade.
You have to wonder if the situation is simply the GM and the agent agreeing they have to wait to see the future Cap (which we know know) and the GM formulating his future moves (as he has a stable of youngsters that he has to decide stay or go on in the next couple years), and maybe that GM Stevie Y is trying to reason with Steven as to he can not shoot for the moon contract-wise, so his GM can keep the team in the hunt the rest of Stamkos career.
Steven is a high character kid,who I am sure still has adrenline flowing from that “close but so far” experience of a Stanley Cup Final.
There are plenty of teams that truly don’t have a number one centre and/or can use the 40-50 goal scoring ability of that Stamkos one-timer. And Steven clearly would play anywhere for a Cup, imo.
So…is Stamkos a true number one centre in every sense? Then why is he on the wing?
Silence doesn’t necessarily mean the sides are done. I said it before, in the summer they will have to trade others to keep in the hunt. Maybe Bishop is the easiest lost, because the othet two ‘tenders gain from the on the job training.
If not Bishop, you & I can start throwing darts at who departs. We know Kucherov, Killorn, even Namestnikov,JT Brown, and Jonathan Marchessault are also RFAs this summer and Hedman, Sustr and DROUIN the next.
We all know how the RFA status has morphed from as easy re-sign to a either you open the pocketbook wide or send the RFA packing.
All this isn’t easy, but I am convinced it has more to do with Stamkos re-up than anything else.
The media talking heads are getting shortness of breath from the blabber and speculation, and there is truly little to base it on.
If a team, any team, can get Stamkos in his prime, they should do it.
Yes, fire Johnson.
Vrbata might be traded for a 3rd round pick. The guy has never done anything in the playoffs.
If Vrbata is traded, he has to go for more than a 3rd round pick. He’s a goal scorer that is good for 25-30 goals which in this day and age is hard to come by. If you’re adding him at the deadline it’s because you believe he can add goals to your line up come playoff time, which is why I believe a 3rd won’t cut it.
Im not a big fan of giving him the kinda money it would take as it hurts down the road but as far as him not jelping the Leafs get hetter (rather quickly) not sure thats the case…topline consisting of JVR and Stamkos perhaps Nylander or a Marner centering a second line in the next couple years or Kadri in theshort term Rielly islooking more and more legit as a top pair type if he continues to develop (and they could afford to resign him with the whacky contract ot would take to gget Stamkos) I am not sure that a 25 uear old doesnt help the Leafs significant get better…Hello Dallas after getting Seguin. Again not that I think its a swell idea as mentioned the contract would hurt in alot of ways when it comes to the entry level deals ending but to say they couldnt be a contender before Stamkos hit his 30s seems like it might be a little premature judgement. There are too many variables to be accounted for to make a statement like that imo.
Would you not trade JVR and Kadri for Stamkos now if you could work out an extension?
I am just floored that anyone would think a 40-50 goals scorer in his mid 20s would harm a rebuild.
No I wouldn’t…I wouldn’t sign him either for just money either tho. Its madness. Just sent a 60 -70 point guy packing at 8 mill and call him overpaod for being one dimensional…so now pay 11 mill for a guy with 62 points in his last 83 games on a better team
I have to disagree with you on this I think you make that trade in a New York minute.
I still think Stamkos stays in Tampa, but if the Leafs have a shot at signing him as a free agent they’d be crazy not to. No way should they trade for him though.
As far as cap concerns, Bozak and Lupul both expire after two more seasons freeing up almost 10 million, around the same time Nylander and Marner’s elc would expire. For the mean time I’d trade Kadri or JVR to fill holes elsewhere or get a draft pick if it meant getting Stammer. All of this is far fetched of course, but It’s ridiculous to say we couldn’t afford him as a free agent.
I have to totally disagree. IF Stamkos is available and he costs nothing but money- I believe he will sign with the Leafs- fait a complit…and why not? You are still rebuilding not giving away picks. As for not being competitive you add a Stamkos and a Nylander and next year- does that make them 10 points better? sure it does..when Babcock was hired we understood a complete tank was not going to happen
Hopefully the Penguins waive Scuderi to WBS when Letang come back. That will give them almost 5 million in cap space after Dupuis. That should be more than enough leverage to pick up a decent second pairing dman. Heck I’d even trade for Jared Tinirdi and make Ben Lovejoy expendable. Trade Kunitz and Lovejoy to Vanvouver for Dan Hamhuis.
Letang/ Maatta
Hamhuis/ Dumoulin
Tinirdi/ Cole
Pouliot/ Clendening
Looks much much better
Stranger things have happened bit I’m not sure I see the Canucks giving Hamhuis up for Kunitz and Lovejoy…for a team looking to get younger how does that make sense? 2 Sedins Prust Kunitz Lovejoy…can’t see it
Vancouver isn’t giving up Hamhuis for Kunitz & Lovejoy. Did you miss the memo. The Canucks are rebuilding.
If you’re trading for Hamhuis you’d better get out some draft picks. Kunitz and Lovejoy are dumps at this point. Hamhuis only gets moved at TDL if Canucks out of the hunt for a playoff spot.
Deee, with Christmas fast approaching I hope Santa grants you your most fervent wish and induces Rutherford to somehow get rid of Scuderi. Then we’ll stop seeing these endless rants against the guy.
“McKenzie believes the Pittsburgh Penguins are looking to make trades, pursuing a top-four, puck-moving defenseman”
So, Derrick Pouliot right?
Lol nope Ben freaking Lovejoy!
LOL. A Top 4 puck-moving D. Is THAT all they want? Hell, they’re growing on trees don’t you know (sarcasm). Rutherford would probably choke at what the relinquishing team would want back in return.
No I think he means like Simon Despres. Oh right he didn’t fit Rutherford’s mold of a #4 Dman.
Please don’t mention the name Simon Despres. Sigh, I have a bald spot on my head from the scratching trying to figure that trade out till this day. Wondering why the Pens aren’t giving the call up to Pouliot, numbers are good down on the farm. I do like the game Worsofsky has been playing although he is small, skates and moves the puck well.
After Kypers comments yesterday I lloked thru some CBA stuff and rules on tampering and I couldn’t find much on things aside from franchise management… next to nothing on corporate sponsorships…so what’s stopping Bell or Rogers talking to Stamkos agent… is there anything? Legit question Lyle you heard of anything on the subject of corp sponsors perhaps circumventing the CBA?
What’s stopping Bell or Rogers from talking to Stamkos’ agent is the fact they’re owners of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Hello there, conflict of interest.
lol geez
Besides, I’m tired of seeing my cable/internet/phone bill going up constantly to help pay for the Blue Jays!
Sens fan like you George? I would think your paying the owners of the Leafs for the prvlidge of watching your team would irk you more….that’s kinda what I’m getting at about how I can’t see sponsorship deals being considered as conflict of interest.Rogers sponsors an arena the Leafs don’t play in Bell does as well…glad big bear finds these things amusing as I’m sure he does small shiny objects lol
lol only you shticky would think its ok for a teams owner to talk to players on another organization! lmao
How the way its structured, BCE is a seprrate entity same as Rogers and their different holdings….I dont think you could possibly say that any or all of these entities are owners of the Leafs….you cant just simply say its conflict that quickly McDavid has a pretty sweet deal with Rogers thats not viewed as a conflict…I am not saying it would br so bold as Nell or Rogers offering him a contract with the Leafs I am saying discussions of spondordhip deal (which of course would lead to other possibilitirs but…)
Not sure I see ithow many magaxines and everything else that Rogers own couldnt possibly talk to Stamkos or his agent on future sponsorship deals, or Bell and all BCEs entities Solo Virgin not to mention the TV stationd couldnt jave discudsions onfuture spondorship deals….didnt seem to effect McDavid. I m not suggesting Bell or Rogrrs would be so bold to talk Leaf contract Im siggesting whats stoping them to call amd inquire about multi million dollar spondorship deals starting say July 2…leaving some thimgs kinda unspoken
I do watch a lot of cricket as well and there is a league called the Indian Premier League (IPL for anyone interested in googling it.
Owners there have been known to cut these deals on the side, Chris Gayle signed by Bangalore is an example. Then again, this practice is a lot more common in the east and if you pay off the authorities they will look the other way. I don’t see it flying in Canada – can you imagine Telus getting a whiff of this? They would shred Rogers and Bell to pieces. The ends don’t justify the means here in my opinion
And Bell had ownership in the Habs and Leafs at the same time…rectified now but conflict of interest is not a new or out of the question thought in this league.
As long as there is no tie-in whatsoever with the Leafs, it wouldn’t be a problem. If any deal was contingent upon his signing with the Leafs, that’s tampering.
Kypreos is a moron, I wouldn’t put too much stock in anything he says. That suggestion by him just wreaks of typical Toronto arrogance.
Normally Id agreee with ya on Kypreooss just seemed kinda different…and as Ive said I dont particularly want Stamkos at that price, but for any one to dismiss the idea of an NHL owmer or team or GM finding away to circumvent the CBA or doing a shady deal, hasnt been really paying attention. The NHL at times over the past couple decades makes NCAA football and badkeball programs look like the boy scouts. ..Bell owned a peiceof the Habs and Leafs at the same time…the League has been full of shady deals and ownrrships. So Im going to guess that the “sponsorship” angle could probably apply since no one elses seems to know either.
Wow, stereotyping an entire city, a new low here, smh.
I know what your saying durt lol but is king really that wrong? how often are we talking about the leafs when they haven’t done anything in a very very long time and wont do anything for a few years the leafs really shouldn’t be mentioned on here unless they make a trade or something
Yes bigbear he’s wrong. Toronto’s population isn’t typically arrogant. It was an ignorant generalization.
The Canuck’s aren’t making the playoff’s. If Vrbata & Hamhuis aren’t resigned before the trade deadline both should be moved to continue the rebuild.
Canucks should try and move vrbata or Hamhuis as soon as possible so they can bring in prospects that can be injected into the lineup right away and draft picks for the future. I see MTL, NYR and NYI as top trade candidates as these teams are looking to making a long playoff run.
Hey guys, what do you think
S. Andrighetto. J. Tinordi. T. Gilbert. 1st Round pick 2016 to Philly for Wayne Simmonds.
What you guys think?
It would be more like.
S. Andrighetto.,J. Tinordi,1st + 2nd pick 2016
“Tony”!!!
You’re back!!!
Where have you been – Witness Protection?
So, let’s see
First round pick, as always. check.
But where….hey, you forgot to add the usual “Lars Eller”.
Guess “Tinordi” will be your new “Lars Eller” moving forward?
Wow.
Hey rattus watsup? You might like this one.
J. Tinordi. N. Juulsen. L. Eller. 1st round + 2x 2nd round picks 2016 for B. Schenn and W. Simmonds. What you think?
About as much sense as usual.
Trolling – is it something that gives you the sense of being, you know, somebody?
Why don’t you try using your sock, instead?
I’m not sure Stamkos will get over 9 million as most GMS are realizing how much these huge contracts hinder the team in the long run.
Probably about 25 teams right now couldn’t add him to their payroll and the big market teams are already cap filled.
Does Carolina offer up J. Staal and Skinner for Malkin? Since Pitts “needs something to change” according to Rutherford.
Staal cycles the puck with Sid the kid and bennett
Bonino centers kessel and Skinner. Two solid lines.
Can even add in Liles for Scuderi with Pitts holding salary. Liles is their top 4 puck moving d man and Scuds rides out his contract in Carolina. A bit of a stretch I know.
Would someone please take Stamkos’s twitter account away from him, he seems to only accidentally like these posts about returning to Toronto….again today
Thats no accident sir, I think that is either him messing with Tampa saying give me the money or a precursor to him signing in Toronto.
I’m starting to get nervous… this is going to happen. I’m gonna wake up 1 morning and see Nylander a first and Morgan Rielly traded to TB for the privilege of signing an 11 million dollar center who’s coach thinks is a better winger…lol
sign or trade I don’t want stamkos at this point in the rebuild! if it happens it will set them back more than the kessel for seguin and Hamilton! lol
Really? Beause for the past few weeks you have been going on about how great player he is and that he would be stupid to want to play anywhere else let alone in Toronto. Never going to happen blah blah blah…now he sets back a franchise eh?
why do you continually make stuff up? right from the start of stamkos to the leafs I have said I didn’t like it! why would the leafs who are rebuilding go after stamkos?? I thought you wanted them keep to the plan?? now your changing your tune…typical
Well I’m late to this party.
I’m sure non of you care but I’m going to give my opinion on Stamkos to Toronto.
I think Toronto should pass on him. They need to get quality draft picks and prospects in their system over the next few years to get them a solid base to work with into the future.
I do think if Toronto decided to get Stamkos they need to rethink their rebuild and start trading away their youth and draft picks to obtain veteran players to put a competitive team on the ice now.
I don’t think that should be the coarse of action they should take. I think they should draft. Through the draft created a solid foundation of a team then make the big trades to bring in star guys….but wait didn’t the Oilers do that….on second thought….
I think they should get Stamkos then bring in guys like Dallas did when they signed guys like Benn, Spezza, Sharp, Hemsky, Oduya etc and put them around Seguin.
Arg I don’t know what they should. Either way has it’s risk. Only thing in my mind that changes is the method of the rebuild. If they can trade for players to put around STamkos then fine. If they can’t then stay the coarse till they have the assets to be able to do that.
haha.
Montreal lost 3 straight? Uh oh…… The Sky is Falling!!!!!!!!!! Trade everyone!!!!!!
lol wait for it…
nyr4life is a drunk again!! lol atleast its half way thru the week this time!lol
If the Pens were looking for a one-stop shop trade andwere willing to move on from Matta then possibly Calgary or the Canucks could be good trade partners.
Matta and Hornqvist leaving Pitt with either Edler and Vrbata or Hudler and Wideman coming back.
The Penguins should hire Randy Carlyle. He likes offense
Seriously if the penguins are looking for a puck moving d-man I would say the best and most affordable option is internal. Derrick is the best option and have age and years on your side. Anyone else is locked onto their team not really worth what the asking rate would be. Honestly I would love to pull Jack Johnson from Columbus but would hate the asking price.
The best option is look for that elite forward with Crosby. With Kessel working with Malkin and Perron, their isn’t much on the team to work with. Hornqvist should be constantly working Crosby but for some reason doesn’t work. Bennett is a nightmare on the top line but solid on the third or forth. Fehr is more effective on the bottom pairs. Kunitz really needs to be left on the third line and their is nothing else. Honestly a trade will be the only option.
As for trading pieces, One of Perron or Hornqvest with the other taking the wing spot with Malkin and Kessel is right now the strongest asset that we have. I like both on this team but neither work for Crosby, my pick is Perron goes just because of chances of resigning him are low. Two second round picks which we really do need more. One of our current d-men on the roster, that isn’t named Matta. Really I would love to move Letang if he could stay health enough but will short us on puck moving d-men. Honestly that is about it. Our stock in WBS youth is at a all-time low with very little there. Honestly I really would like to know what is out there that would work and would be affordable.
My best guess, I can’t help but fell that the inbound player sooner or later and all signs are pointing to Eric Staal. With Rutherford being his former GM and with him being a UFA at the end of the season this seems to be where we are moving towards. I know he is rumored not to be willing to budge on lifting his not trade but with his brother being a former Penguin that worked well with Crosby and Malkin and a strong chance he’ll go back to Carolina anyhow, why not. Only problem is not sure how the money would work and assets it would take if Carolina would retain salary. Wouldn’t be much if it was straight up due to the fact that the Penguins might be one of few teams he would accept a trade to and depending on how many teams he would be willing to be traded to will set his value.
There could be better options but considering how Crosby is and has been only players of equal age or older seem to work for him. Could make sense. Honestly though I am moving closer and closer to the idea of moving Crosby for massive assets. Can’t help but feel that Moving Crosby would give us a couple top caliber roster players a first round pick and top prospects. I know there are plenty of teams and GMs that would sell their souls to have Crosby and the value he would bring to the team. So to say a blockbuster of value would go back to the Penguins in the trade isn’t a over-estimated belief. After all he would be obtained for seven years at a high contract that decreases every year it continues. So he is signed at a extremely friendly contract that even makes him more valuable. Just would need him to waive his no trade clause and the more teams he’s willing to go to makes the trade that much better for the incoming value that would come to Pittsburgh. Not willing to give up yet on Crosby but starting to lean that way.